It was finally time for them to go back North. He had wandered with Faria for awhile now. It was a pleasant existence - simple, and it had grown familiar quickly. The monotony of wandering with her, never staying in one place for long, he had gotten used to. It kept him from the uncertainty of not knowing where the hell he was going today or tomorrow, and also kept his mind in the present rather than straying in the past. With her, he had found what could easily be considered his only friend, and he didn't know how he would have survived without her. A sigh left his lips as he slipped forward away from her, scouting out the beach. It had been so long since he'd seen any of his siblings. They didn't even know... his mind trailed off, the fur along his spine bristling at the unpleasant thought of having to tell them what had happened to their parents. They had discussed crossing this strip of sand before, but they'd decided to go further south but now he felt it was time for them to go north again, toward the lands he'd once called home. Tentatively he would pad through the sand, turning to face Faria and assess her reaction. "Ready to go?"

Faria had found herself spending the winter in the Southern continent, it didn't seem to get quite as snowy and there were still a lot of places that could have been considered warm during the season. She'd enjoyed every bit of it, traveling where ever they wished whenever they got bored. She and Steel had made a pretty good team, but she knew as well as he did that all good things must end. She needed to find Caia and Mithras, by now she had no doubt they were worried sick about her. They should have known she could take care of herself. She'd follow after the much taller boy with ease, finding his stride an easy one as they meandered closer to the place they had first met. His crimson gaze would fall on her, his eyes seeking out answers as much as his words. "Ready to go?" She'd snort, she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to leave this simple existence with him. "Ready as I'll ever be I guess," She'd offer as she came up beside him, nuzzling into his fur as she closed the distance between them. She was still as affectionate as ever, a trait that hadn't been spared on Steel. ""

Somehow, Faria had wormed her way into his heart, which had been as stony as ever since the death of his parents. Her exotic beauty had seduced him easily, and the fact that she had not yet left him meant a lot to him. Besides his siblings - and who knew where they were - Faria was all he had. She was quick to nuzzle him, and he would relax at her familiar touch, despite not returning the affection. He wondered, too, if they might find Faria's companions as well on their journey north. Steel wondered if they would ever come back here. There were so many unknowns that he didn't know where to begin thinking about it all. "Alright," the male would murmur softly. He would hesitantly pull away from her, longing for the only touch he had known these past few seasons, though he knew this was a trip they needed to make. His paws would carry them over the sand, heading toward the giant bridge that seemed to stretch endlessly over the sea. Though beautiful with its sparking colors, it was as foreboding as anything he'd ever seen before. "What if we don't find anyone?" he'd ask quietly as they moved, not just speaking of his family, but her companions as well.

She didn't worry half as much about the future as Steel did, she liked to think that she eased some of them a little though. They balanced each other out pretty well, he worried enough for the both of them. As she breathed in his scent and started getting comfy he'd utter one last word before pulling away from her. She'd smile encouragingly as he led the way, her slim figure would fall in line at his side, slightly behind his longer stride. He'd be his usual optimistic self, as the first words from his lips as they officially started their trip. Despite how little faith he had Ria wouldn't hesitate to smile and set him straight. "What if we find everyone?" She'd counter, they could play the what if game all day. "I have no doubts that I will eventually see Mith and Caia again, I can feel it in my heart, ya'know?" Surely he could feel that same connection with his siblings. They would find them, she'd make sure of it if it was the last thing she did. ""

Despite all that Faria had gone through, somehow she remained so positive. It was a stark contrast to his own cynicism, but it seemed that their pairing worked despite their differences. A soft sigh escaped his lips as his thoughts drifted toward these thoughts that plagued him. Only Faria's gentle voice, and the warmth of the sand beneath his paws would bring him slowly back to reality. "Maybe," he mused softly. His own expression was stony and far more difficult to read than usual. Faria was one of the few he trusted, and the only one he had opened up to in a long time - but even now he felt the aching loneliness that his parents' death had left him with. "I hope we can find them."  But as for his own family, he felt much less certain. He wished he felt something like she did.. some nagging belief that they were near and well, but he had no idea if they were at all. "I guess we should go back to the pack we were in before we left. Where do you think Mith and Caia might've gone?"

While Faria enjoyed her little vacation with Steel it seemed that their return back into reality made him very much aware of those negative thoughts that lingered in his mind. When it was random day to day dribble his pessimism could be ignored, but when it came to the big life issues, like them returning to the whole of Alacritis it seemed like he was growing more dark. As she walked beside him she'd offer another encouraging nuzzle to his shoulder. He wasn't convinced by her words, obviously. Still, he wouldn't bring her down and she'd remain cheery as he was able to mention that he hoped they would find them. She'd smile, nodding her agreement. She had ever confidence he would be reunited with his siblings. "Sounds like a good place to start. I'm sure once I'm up there they will find me. They always do." ""

Steel had no idea how Faria had dealt with him these past few seasons. Their existence was a simple, meager one. They spoke often, of course, but not constantly - much of their time was spent in comfortable silence, as was customary for him. A true product of his father, he was not a man of many words though it seemed Faria was adept at prying them out of him. "How will I tell them?" He did not retract from her touch, but welcomed it, though he didn't return the affection immediately. His eyes were glued to the horizon, paws moving fluidly as they began to cross the large stretch of sand. Steel was reluctant to talk about these things - things that involved emotion. He felt his heart clench painfully as he imagined telling his siblings about the loss of their parents, but his face remained stoic and focused as they trudged onward.

While he didn't talk much the ability to drag the words out of him was one she wouldn't use too much. He was a quiet man, and she could happily linger in silence. It was an easy existence, and the winter had passed quickly. She was glad she could be there for him, he didn't have anyone anymore. While she wasn't excited about the prospect of leaving him she hoped deeply that they would find what family he did have left. Having lost her own family she had no doubts that her ability to relate to him had helped build their friendship. So comfortable with her he'd become that the sensitive question he asked her was almost a surprise as they walked over the sand. She wouldn't visibly react, but would remain in silence while she thought of her answer. "Be direct, pussy-footing around wont help anything." She'd say, just as bluntly as she thought that he should be with his siblings. Her voice was soft though, trying to add her little bit of comfort that he might accept. She had no doubts that he could and would be direct as he usually was, but she also knew what a difficult task he held. ""

Be direct. As if it was that easy. He had spent many nights crying alone like a baby, before he'd met Faria, though the thought was embarrassing even to himself. Steel had no idea how he would handle if his siblings reacted in the same way. Time had hardened him, only on the surface though, for he still felt the intense pain of their loss deep inside. "Stay with me until I find them?" he would ask after a moment. He was rarely sensitive around her, but the reality of facing his brothers and sister was difficult for him to bear. It felt like it might be much easier if she stayed with him, at least until then. "Then you can go and find Mithras and Caia." Part of him wanted her to stay - a rather large part, as he'd grown quite fond of her - and yet he felt like she might be better if she reunited with them and left Steel entirely. He fell silent again as they moved, eyeing the distant horizon, wary of what they might soon find in their future.

She knew she wouldn't be very much help, but she did want to try and do her best for him. She wanted to be supportive and help him in any way she could. She'd gotten to know him pretty well over the last couple seasons, and by now she knew that she cared about him. They'd continue walking, and quietly they'd exchange words. He wanted her to stay with him, and really she couldn't and would not deny him. Ria wasn't looking forward to parting ways with him, and of everything they'd talked about she hadn't had the heart to ask what he would do after they found his siblings again. Secretly she hoped he might stay with her once they found her siblings. Though in her mind he was much more likely to linger with his litter mates. "I will," she'd promise him. "Then.. We can go find them?" Her words were more of a question than a statement. She wasn't sure what he wanted to do, but she didn't want to lose his presence. ""

On the surface, Steel was as hardened as his namesake - his exterior was stony and emotionless much of the time. And yet to those who knew him, there was no doubt that he was far more emotional than he let on. How could he not be, after all he had been through?   He grew silent as Faria promised she would stay with him through to then, and.. her words implied she wanted him to stay with her even after. His brows would furrow as he considered her words. "Okay," he mumbled finally, nodding his head slowly. There was no surety in anything anymore - who knew if her friends were around her, let alone alive? The same went for his family. Perhaps they'd left these lands entirely, and perhaps he might never find them again. Perhaps they'd even be happy to tag alone, if they did not remain where they'd been last. "And then?" Steel's voice was expectant as he anticipated her answer; wondering what sort of future she saw for herself, and if he had any part in it.