he needed to apologize. he'd left alarian so abruptly, in the lurch, feeling the utmost shame and guilt. he spent an introspective few days on dawnlark plains, avoiding company as he tried to figure out what to do next. apologizing to alarian was first on the agenda--the relations between their packs depended on it--so the golden male headed north, feeling strangled.
aditya didn't know what exactly drew him to the grotto--perhaps a search for some solitude and peace, before arriving at bracken sanctuary--but he found himself trotting carefully down the steps, slipping a few heart-stopping times but recovering. he expected to be alone, so the pair of orange eyes took him aback. startled (but thankfully on the ground, now) he took a few steps in reverse, bristling until he could make out the familiar scent, the face known to him.
"erm, hello, lanawyn," he greeted, trying to recover some of his lost dignity. he cleared his throat. "nice to see you." there was a look in her gaze that troubled him, slightly, and his ears flattened a bit, mouth tensing in worry. "are you all right?"
her retort was a surprise--that wasn't the name she'd introduced herself as--but he adjusted quickly, blinking once or twice before speaking again. "eris. sorry."
the range of emotions that traveled across her face as realization sunk in for her. . .a ball of ice formed in his stomach, and aditya swallowed, casting his gaze away. of course, alarian had told her what happened. why wouldn't he have? it was up to the young man what details he would have shared, but even the overall story was shameful. there was no coming out of this gracefully.
"look," aditya said gently, meeting her eyes, his mouth twisted in remorse. "something happened. . .between alarian and me. i came north to speak to him about it. will you walk with me, back to the sanctuary?"
the ghost of every mistake he had ever made whispered in his ears, telling him to go back, go home. to leave well enough alone. alarian would surely heal in time; right now must not be the right time to make amends. not with what he had seen in lanawyn's--eris's--face.
he licked dry lips. "do you?" he asked gently, holding her gaze. then, as she went on to speak, adi's ears perked in question. "i believe so," he said in answer to her query, "though i'm not for sure. in any case, all we'll have to do is climb back out, which is manageable. . .but we'll have to be careful." he pointed his nose toward the winding path he'd taken. "small, slow steps."
aditya began to pad that way, but halted, looking back at her. "so, you won't be following me to the sanctuary? or you won't be going to the sanctuary at all?" he thought it merited asking. her question left the door wide open for interpretation. he didn't blame her in the least if she wanted to stay away after what she'd learned.