Lotus knew they were wholly unprepared for the unforgiving North. He wasn’t sure exactly what compelled them to go in that direction. Other than that it was their first real decision as a team. He was far too stubborn to turn around now. Which left him with the need to prepare. He wasn’t entirely sure what they would need, and so he started scavenging around the old Fireside territory. Looking for anything he thought might be useful that had been left behind.

He did manage to find a fur coat left hidden in a den, and threw that over his shoulder. He found a small jar, and while he didn’t know if it would be useful, he added it to his pile anyway. He was nosing through the tall grasses when he heard the sound of pawsteps. He raised his head, looking about him.


"Speech"

Ivy

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"

Lotus raised his head so fast his vision swam, snapping his attention to the side, looking for the owner of that voice. No. impossible… he had lost Ivy. been lost by Ivy. he had thought… he hadn’t known what to think.

“Ivy? Ivy??” He yipped, dropping everything he was holding as he ran at his brother like a steam train. When had his brother gotten so short? He grabbed his twin and wrapped him in a hug so tight that breathing might become an issue. “Ivy!” He said again, as if he had forgotten how to say anything but his beloved twin's name. Today the impossible had come to pass. They had been reunited. He didn’t intend to let them separate again any time soon. “How! What.. man, am I glad to see you!”


"Speech"

Ivy

It was-- it was! Excitement, relief, all of it was a shock to his system. He was safe. With Lotus here, with Lotus back to him, he was safe. He was safe and he was whole once more. That was all that mattered. It was the only thing that mattered now. Pressing himself forward, as fast as he could possibly go, the yearling drove his muzzle into his brother's shoulder. No, he wouldn't let go-- he couldn't let go, ever again. Ivy was nearly shaking as he clung to Lotus, as if clinging to life itself.

"Lo... Lo I missed you." When he finally spoke, his voice quivered. Trembled. It was as if he was on the verge of tears, though they were tears of shear relief. Quivering, holding tightly to the larger boy. Much larger... what had he been eating while they were separated? There had always been differences, though slight, between them. Still, this was by far the most apparent. "I'm sorry... it was winter, I got lost... everything looked the same in the snow." It was a means of explanation.

Still, as he clung to his brother, there was one certainty in his head-- they'd never be separated again. Not like that. His heart couldn't take it.

"Ivy"

Lotus clung just as tightly to his twin, his breath a soft, huffed sigh. He hadn’t expected to get separated from the other wolf, and the time apart had left Lotuf feeling frustrated and alone. He had found Terra… and oh boy, it was going to be great to introduce those two… but dammit, how had he let himself get seperated from Ivy? Never again.

“Well, don’t let it happen again, alright!” He said, though he knew it was as much his own fault, not finding Ivy’s tracks or keeping a better eye on him in the winter. “So… uhh… I’ve got something to tell you. Someone for you to meet, actually” he said. Wondering what Ivy would think of his friend. He found himself surprisingly nervous, realising how much it meant to him that the two most important wolves in his life got along.


"Speech"

Ivy