She hadn't seen her family in... so long. And yet there was still that natural instinct that made them family. Made them a part of her. Drove her back home after making her way back to Auster. She spent a little more time searching for Stolas when she made it back, but his scent was cold or really nonexistent. She at least hoped he could have forgotten about her and moved on. What a sad thought for the confident princess she was. But still, as much as she may have been growing attached to him she would forgive him for never finding her, or giving up if it came to that. She knew he was strong willed and was probably still out there. But that would be a plan for another day.

When she made it back to Elysium boarders, she smelled nothing like them anymore. A foreign body that strided right through, not thinking twice about entering. This was still home, and she knew that. She wouldn't call for them, she knew they'd come eventually. To the threat, or the familiar smell of their kin. She just wanted to go back to her tomb of a den and rest.

She had made a pit stop though as her eyes glanced over the chilled plains of the lake, a starry sky reflecting off the water's surface. Patrol wasn't here yet and that was fine. She wanted the moments to herself. Even though the winter night was cold her careful paws stepped into the lake itself and she took her time as she paddled into the depths and floated along the surface, unbeknown to anyone who would come to her, washing away the past in some sort of her own metaphorical way. This was home. She was finally home.

"Fia"

Avacyn walked along beside Saracyn as they followed the border together, grateful to have a moment alone together even if it was just to do a late night patrol. Their parents had been the best pup sitters ever since their children were born and now was no exception. Usually they would take patrols individually so that one of them could stay back with the pups, but since their parents had insisted on watching them for a bit they took advantage of the time to get away for just a moment. In the back of her mind she had planned to make a stop at the covered sitting area at the edge of the lake to enjoy their alone time a bit more on their way back, but that idea was quickly sidelined as an unexpected scent that cut across the border and went deeper into the territory stopped her in her tracks.

At first her mind immediately feared an intruder, but it only took a beat of further investigation for her memory to catch up to her. "Fia?" she questioned with utter disbelief, looking to Saracyn for confirmation. Leave it to their sister to come home completely unannounced like this. Gods, how long had it been since Fia went off to find whatever it was she had been hoping to find? It felt like an impossibly long time. With Sara in tow she hurried off toward the lake as they followed their sister's scent till they reached the water's edge. Her brow knit together with confusion for a moment considering it was frigid out so the water was bound to be unpleasant, but sure enough, as she looked out over the surface she spotted the red-marked shape of their younger sister gliding through the water. A grin slowly grew across her lips, her tail wagging happily behind her. "Fia! What're you trying to do? Catch a cold?" she called teasingly, giggling and giving a little shake of her head.

"Avacyn Medacium"

With a looming threat living right next door on their borders, Saracyn had insisted all patrols be doubled up now for the protection of Elysium. No wolf should be walking the boundaries between their lands and this Syndicate until they knew more about them, and as Commander, Sara had extended that rule to himself and to Avacyn as well. The Elysian wolves would not be easy pickings to an enemy at the gates. More often than not, Sara's partner had been the Matriarch herself, the pair of mates patrolling around together during the day and at night. Saracyn did enjoy the peacefulness of the winter nights with Ava. It felt like they were just walking in a magical winder wonderland all their own sometimes. With their parents watching the pups for them, there was no rush to finish their duties and get back home, so Sara kept the pace of their patrol leisurely, enjoying his time with his twin to its fullest.

Rounding past the lake, Avacyn stopped and began sniffing furiously at the air. Saracyn followed her lead, sniffing about to find a familiar scent crossing their borders. His mind snapped into place just as he heard a gentle splashing coming from the nearby lake. Ava spoke his thoughts aloud and named Fia. He met his twin's dark gaze and nodded to confirm her suspicions, then diverted their path towards the lake. Had she just gotten back? Where the hell had she been all this time? There was an annoyance simmering towards anger inside Sara's heart the more he dwelled on the disappearance of their younger sister, and by the time they reached the lake, Saracyn was already irritated at her irresponsibility and recklessness. Sure enough, there in the water was the crimson fire-marked form of their sister, bathing in freezing water like she had a death wish.

"What are you doing? Get out of the lake before you freeze to death, you idiot!" Saracyn shouted out across the water to Fiametta, giving an incredulous shake of his head. If she wanted to bathe, they had much better means of doing it that didn't put her at risk of hypothermia. Ancients, he thought Fia was smarter than that... And what the hell was she doing just showing up again without any sort of announcement? She could've been attacked thinking she was an intruder from the Syndicate! Daft woman...

"Saracyn Mendacium"

She couldn’t help the joy in her chest as her sister called at her, Saracyn sounding less than enthused which was typical. As they stood at the waters edge peering at her she didn’t turn her head to face them. Just a calm, soft smile as her eyes remained closed and she floated belly up in the water. "Which one of you morons was going to jump in to tear me to shreds?" clearly sarcastic. The lake felt like home and that why she had jumped in. Mostly.

She was quick after that to roll back on her stomach and make her way to the shore close to her siblings. Shaking so she wasn’t pouring water and then finally going to truly meet them. Dark eyes looked at Saracyn first but more addressed Avacyn when she spoke. "I was lost off the shores of Auster." Truth and lie, "I think far south of here. " she let out a puff mostly from the swim across the lake. She was fine for now but would definitely take all the pelts she could get when she was finally back in her den. "It is really good to see you. " just a tinge of emotion in her voice, she wouldn’t crack. She was safe a long time ago but she yearned to be tucked away into her bed again.

"Fia"

She couldn't resist the little roll of her eyes at her sister's sarcasm and her mate's irritation. Some things never changed and in a way that familiarity warmed her heart more than she could ever admit. Their siblings had been so scattered and separated for so long and with Mariah and Malico returning from their travels recently and now Fia's sudden appearance... It was the first real peace and calm she had felt in a long time. Soon enough Fia turned back over in the water and swam to the shore, Avacyn stepping back a bit to avoid the spray of water as her sister shook out her coat. For the first time in what felt like eons they were finally together again.

"Where have you been? It's been so long since we heard from you," she asked curiously, being careful not to put any accusation or blame in her tone. She knew Fia had permission to go off on her own and she hadn't exactly been given a hard deadline on when she was expected back so she couldn't be upset with her sister, but her absence had certainly gone on longer than Avacyn would have ever expected. She got her answer quickly enough with Fia explaining how she had gotten lost off of the shore of Auster, ending up somewhere far south of here. It was both an answer and not an answer all at once and she couldn't help but feel as if there was more to the story that she wasn't sharing right now, but Avacyn didn't want to press her for details right now. Fia mentioned how good it was to see them and Avacyn grinned, stepping forward to wrap a foreleg around her in a tight embrace. "It's really good to see you too, Fia. We've all missed you. I'm so glad you're safe."

"Avacyn Medacium"

Fiametta's snarky response earned her a gruff sigh and a roll of eyes from Saracyn. Yup, that was the same old Fiametta he remembered. "Like hell I'm jumping in there," he remarked in a teasing tone to her sarcasm. No way he was getting hypothermia dragging her sorry ass out of the frigid lake, even jokingly. Fia did eventually roll over and make her way over to them on the shore, Sara standing by while he watched her climb out of the water. He met her gaze when she looked at him, waiting passively while she spoke mostly to Avacyn. That didn't bother the elder brother; Ava was the Matriarch, after all. She deserved Fia's answers more than he did. Hearing her recounting of where she had been raised more questions than it answered. She had been taken off of Auster's shores? Then where the hell had she gone? And how had she managed to return here?

For now, Saracyn's questions would have to remain unanswered. Fiametta was home, likely needed food and a medical checkup, and a warm bed to rest in. The rest could come later. Avacyn went to embrace Fia, and Saracyn, usually far more emotionally reserved, did the same, giving a gentle press of his side against her damp form to show his support. "Don't go running off again, y'hear? Mom and Dad are likely to have heart attacks the next time you go missing." Gruff words were his style, but they were also a mask for his softer emotions he kept locked away. Fia would know; she'd seen his true face when they'd fought the bear and he'd risked his life to protect hers. "C'mon, we gotta get you fed and dry before you catch hypothermia out here." Sara motioned with his head back toward Alias Island.

"Saracyn Mendacium"

As Avacyn had reached over to give Fia a hug, she was surprised Sara had done the same but she didn’t push either of them back away. Just a gentle nudge into each of them, welcoming the physical affection given the circumstances.

Sara had gone to tell her not to go missing again because mom and dad would surely die this time. "Yeah, yeah. Okay." she didn’t have intentions to, but she probably wouldn’t be going far from home anytime soon. All she wanted to do was lay down and mellow in her den for the next few days. She nodded her head slightly as Sara had directed them back towards the island. She leaned into Avacyn but didn’t need her for strength or anything to get back. She could finally be at peace. She could feel home.

-Exit Fiametta-

"Fia"